Is AI Letting Your Compliance Slip? How ‘Silent’ Gaps Are Becoming the Biggest GRC Risk of 2025
2025 is seeing an explosion of AI-powered processes embedded throughout business operations — yet few companies update their Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) monitoring to match. In the rush to harness artificial intelligence for speed, efficiency, and insight, organizations across the globe have quietly introduced a new type of risk — a phenomenon security and […]
The Ingram Micro Ransomware Hack: What Happened and Why It Matters
Overview In early July 2025, Ingram Micro — one of the world’s largest distributors of IT products, cloud services, and technology solutions — was struck by a significant ransomware attack that disrupted its global operations, rippled through the tech supply chain, and serves as a warning for organizations everywhere. The incident was quickly linked to the […]
Zero-Trust Architecture: Compliance Mandate or Best Practice?
Why Zero Trust Has Become Essential The zero-trust security model flips the traditional notion of network security: instead of trusting devices and users inside a defined network perimeter, it requires continuous verification of every user and device—never trust, always verify. As threats have become more sophisticated and workforces more distributed, this approach is now a mainstream expectation, […]
$16K in Prizes. 10 Days. It’s Almost Channel Daze Time!
It’s almost that time of year again — sun’s out, energy’s up, and Channel Daze is about to kick off! Starting August 4th, we’re bringing you 10 straight weekdays of giveaways. That’s two prizes a day, from 34 awesome sponsors who just want to say thanks. It’s easy, it’s free – and it’s all for […]
Why Off-Channel Messaging Is a Compliance Risk for MSPs and Their Clients
Today’s businesses thrive on speed and connectivity, but the rising use of unauthorized messaging and collaboration tools — known as off-channel communications or Shadow IT — poses a growing compliance and security risk. As enforcement actions accelerate, managed service providers (MSPs) must recognize these dangers not just for their clients, but also for their own operations and […]
Bridging Visibility and Governance: What Next-Gen Compliance Should Look Like for MSPs
Modern Managed Service Providers (MSPs) face a new reality: compliance isn’t just about going through the motions for an auditor’s checklist — it’s about equipping organizations to detect, defend, and adapt to ever-evolving threats. Achieving true compliance maturity requires orchestrating both visibility into technical environments and governance through actionable, business-ready controls. Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short Many MSPs […]
Blacksmith InfoSec and Liongard Announce Strategic Integration
At Blacksmith InfoSec, we’ve always believed that real security outcomes should drive compliance. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our latest integration with Liongard, a move that transforms how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) approach compliance audits. This integration empowers MSPs to automate user-centric security audits across Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and any system connected via Liongard […]
Demystifying CMMC for MSPs
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has become a central compliance requirement for organizations in the U.S. defense supply chain. For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), understanding CMMC is essential — not only to support clients but also to ensure their own operations align with evolving Department of Defense (DoD) expectations. This article breaks down what […]
Understanding Security Policies for MSPs and IT Professionals
Security policies are the backbone of an organization’s information security program. These policies are shaped not only by internal business needs but also by a complex landscape of federal and state regulations. Security policies define how information assets are protected, who is responsible for safeguarding them, and the standards by which compliance is measured. For […]
A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Frameworks for Your Organization
Navigating compliance in 2025 feels like standing in front of a wall of acronyms — SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST CSF, CIS Controls, CMMC — each promising to solve your security and regulatory challenges. For managed service providers and IT organizations, this abundance of frameworks creates a paradox of choice that can paralyze decision-making […]